Director - Rice Procurement & Excellence Key Responsibilities: National Rice Sourcing Strategy & Value Chain Optimization: Upstream Value Chain Mastery & Intervention Design: - Design and execute comprehensive rice procurement strategy across all major varieties (basmati, parboiled, raw, specialty) and regional preferences - Map end-to-end value chain from farmer to consumer, identifying strategic intervention points for margin capture and efficiency gains - Eliminate inefficiencies across farmer mandi miller wholesaler retailer touchpoints through direct relationships and technology integration - Build innovative sourcing models that bypass traditional intermediaries while ensuring farmer income stability and quality consistency Scale Leverage & Competitive Positioning: - Leverage our 150,000+ retailer network as strategic procurement advantage to secure preferential terms, volume bonuses, and exclusive arrangements with mills - Drive rice category contribution to company-wide &gt;80% direct sourcing target through scale-enabled mill partnerships - Outmaneuver organized and unorganized competition through superior supplier relationships, pricing intelligence, and procurement innovation - Establish Jumbotail as the preferred partner for tier-1 rice mills by offering scale, payment reliability, and strategic growth partnership Financial Optimization & Risk Management: - Implement sophisticated working capital optimization including payment term negotiations, inventory financing, and cash conversion cycle improvement - Establish commodity price risk management frameworks including futures, forward contracts, and seasonal hedging strategies where applicable - Drive procurement efficiency improvements that deliver measurable margin expansion while maintaining competitive pricing to retailers - Design financial structures with suppliers that optimize both parties' working capital and cash flow requirements Regional Buyer Team Leadership & Matrix Management: Regional Rice Buyer Network Development: - Build and lead a team of 4-6 Regional Rice Buyers strategically positioned across key production zones (Punjab/Haryana for Basmati, Andhra Pradesh/Telangana for varieties, West Bengal for specialty rice) - Transfer hands-on buying expertise to regional teams including negotiation techniques, supplier evaluation methods, and deal structuring approaches - Establish dual reporting matrix where Regional Rice Buyers report functionally to you and operationally to Regional CEOs for local execution - Design cross-regional sourcing strategies, particularly for premium varieties like Basmati that serve multiple regional markets - Coach regional buyers on seasonal buying strategies, market timing, and commodity volatility management based on your field experience Crisis Management & Business Continuity Excellence: - Navigate supply chain disruptions including weather events, crop failures, policy changes, and market volatility while maintaining business continuity - Establish contingency sourcing strategies and backup supplier networks to ensure uninterrupted supply to our retailer base - Coach regional buyers on crisis response protocols including emergency sourcing, quality compromises, and customer communication during disruptions - Develop competitive intelligence capabilities to anticipate market changes and position Jumbotail advantageously against organized and unorganized competitors Regional Success Enablement & Market Intelligence: Regional CEO Partnership & Support: - Support Regional CEO market competitiveness by ensuring rice sourcing strategies align with local P&L targets and market conditions - Provide weekly market intelligence including competitor pricing, supply opportunities, and demand trends - Resolve conflicts constructively between central optimization and regional market needs through collaborative problem-solving - Develop region-specific rice portfolios that address local customer preferences while leveraging central sourcing advantages Performance Management & Capability Building: - Implement monthly regional buyer reviews focusing on procurement performance, supplier relationships, and regional market support - Ensure Regional Rice Buyers become effective regional assets who contribute to Regional CEO success - Create knowledge sharing frameworks for best practice exchange across regional network - Lead talent development with emphasis on buying skills, market intelligence, and Regional CEO partnership Quality Assurance & End-Customer Focus: - Establish customer-back quality standards that ensure consistent product experience for kiranas and their end consumers - Implement traceability systems and documentation protocols that support food safety compliance and audit requirements - Design quality control processes that minimize rejection rates while maintaining standards that protect Jumbotail's reputation with retailers - Proactively manage FSSAI compliance and food safety requirements across all supplier relationships and sourcing activities Pricing Strategy & Margin Optimization: Dynamic Pricing Framework Development: - Build sophisticated pricing models that optimize gross margins while maintaining competitive market positioning - Develop and manage rice pricing corridors that regional teams execute within (15-20% flexibility) - Create promotional calendars and markdown strategies that maximize rupee margin per van day - Implement advanced analytics for demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and price elasticity analysis Margin Enhancement Initiatives: - Lead rice category contribution to overall trading gross margin expansion - Identify and execute margin enhancement opportunities through supplier negotiations, process improvements, and mix optimization - Drive higher-margin specialty rice varieties penetration across regional markets - Optimize logistics costs through strategic sourcing geography alignment with fulfillment network Quality Standards & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Quality Assurance & Compliance: - Establish consistent quality standards and testing protocols across all rice varieties and suppliers - Implement customer-focused quality controls that ensure reliable product experience for kiranas and end consumers - Manage FSSAI compliance and food safety requirements across supplier relationships and sourcing activities - Develop traceability systems and documentation protocols for audit and regulatory requirements Cross-Functional Partnership: - Partner with Supply Chain team on logistics optimization and inventory management that supports regional fulfillment - Collaborate with Finance on category P&L performance and accurate demand forecasting - Support Technology teams with data quality and system adoption for procurement analytics and pricing tools - Provide category expertise to Head of Own Brands for Jumbofarms rice development and quality specifications - Support emerging HORECA business development with institutional-grade rice solutions and supplier capabilities Cross-Functional Leadership & Regional Integration: - Partner with Supply Chain team on regional fulfillment optimization, logistics cost minimization, and multi-channel inventory management that supports regional growth targets - Collaborate with Finance on rice category P&L across channels while providing regional margin analysis and accurate forecasting for financial planning - Work effectively with Technology teams on demand forecasting, procurement analytics, and pricing engines that enhance regional competitiveness and data quality - Provide deep category expertise to Head of Own Brands for Jumbofarms rice strategy while ensuring end-customer quality consistency and regional market adaptation - Champion regional needs in central planning processes and ensure emerging HORECA strategies complement rather than compete with regional B2B focus - Strategic Supplier Partnership Development Tier-1 Mill Relationships: - Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with 15-20 tier-1 rice mills across key production zones - Structure partnership agreements that optimize cost, quality, payment terms, and supply reliability - Build trust-based relationships with key suppliers through consistent engagement and transparent communication - Negotiate multi-season contracts that provide suppliers business predictability while securing favorable terms Win-Win Deal Architecture: - Design deal structures that align supplier incentives with Jumbotail goals including volume commitments, quality standards, and pricing frameworks - Leverage supplier economics knowledge to structure mutually beneficial arrangements that improve supplier margins while reducing costs - Establish preferred partner relationships that provide competitive advantages including priority access and market intelligence - Drive supplier performance improvements through capability development and partnership programs Performance Management & Analytics: Category Performance Leadership: - Own rice category KPIs including procurement cost optimization, quality metrics, supplier performance, and fill rates - Develop and maintain rice category dashboards and regional performance tracking - Conduct regular business reviews with Chief Merchandising Officer and Regional CEOs on category performance and market intelligence - Lead annual rice category planning and budgeting processes Technology Integration & Data Management: - Adopt procurement analytics tools and contribute to demand forecasting accuracy through market intelligence - Ensure data quality in procurement systems and support technology team initiatives for process improvement - Implement automated reporting for key performance metrics and supplier scorecards - Leverage technology platforms for supplier communication, order management, and performance tracking Qualifications & Experience: Essential Requirements: - 15+ years of rice/commodity procurement experience with proven margin expansion track record in competitive, scale-driven environments - Crisis-tested procurement leadership with demonstrated ability to navigate major supply disruptions, market volatility, and competitive pressure - Scale economics expertise with experience leveraging large buyer volumes (&gt;100Cr annual procurement) to secure preferential supplier terms and competitive advantages - Financial sophistication including working capital optimization, commodity risk management, and procurement financing structures - Advanced negotiation mastery with track record of structuring complex deals that deliver measurable cost savings and margin improvements under timeline pressure Preferred Qualifications: - Startup environment experience: Previous roles in fast-paced, technology-enabled organizations with emphasis on agility and data-driven decision making - Scale procurement experience: Experience managing large procurement budgets (&gt;500Cr) and leveraging buyer scale for competitive advantages - Multi-commodity expertise: Experience with multiple commodity categories that provides broader agricultural market insights - Regional production zone knowledge: Deep familiarity with key rice-producing states and agricultural value chains - Digital procurement platforms: Experience with e-procurement systems, agricultural technology, or B2B marketplace operations - Food safety and compliance expertise: Strong understanding of FSSAI regulations and quality certification processes - Advanced negotiation training: Formal training or certification in complex commercial negotiations - MBA in Agribusiness, Supply Chain, or related field Personal Attributes: - Results-oriented execution with focus on delivering measurable outcomes in procurement cost, quality, and supplier performance - Regional partnership mindset with genuine commitment to Regional CEO success and collaborative approach to matrix management - Crisis leadership capabilities with proven ability to maintain performance during supply chain disruptions and market volatility - Relationship building skills with track record of developing trust-based partnerships with suppliers and internal stakeholders - Technology adoption enthusiasm with openness to digital tools and data-driven decision making - Market intelligence orientation with strong analytical skills and curiosity about agricultural markets and competitive dynamics Compensation & Benefits: - Competitive total compensation commensurate with role impact and candidate experience - Meaningful equity participation with significant upside potential - Performance-linked bonus tied to rice category and overall company performance - Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, transport allowance, and professional development budget Location & Travel: - Base Location: Bangalore (5 days/week + alternate Saturdays as required) Travel Requirements: - 30-40% travel to rice-producing regions, mills, and farming zones - Regular visits to Regional clusters for market intelligence and team collaboration - Supplier engagement across North, South, East, and West India - Conference participation in agriculture, food technology, and commodity trading events Reporting Structure: Reports To: Chief Merchandising Officer (CMO) Direct Reports: - 3-4 Regional Rice Buyers (dual reporting matrix with Regional CEOs) - Rice Quality Specialist Collaborates With: - 4 Regional CEOs and Regional Merchandising Heads - Head of Own Brands (category expertise collaboration) - J24, HORECA, Supply Chain, Finance, and Technology teams Matrix Management: Regional Rice Buyers have dual accountability functional reporting to this role for procurement strategy and technical expertise, operational reporting to Regional CEOs for local execution and market responsiveness.

Bangalore

Director - Procurement & Excellence - Rice Business 

Job Description for Director - Procurement & Excellence - Rice Business  in STELLEHIRE RECRUITMENT SERVICES LLP in  Bangalore for (15-20) years of experience. Apply Now!